http://www.dailytexanonline.com

University | 9/16/2005
Bells chime for Independence Day
MACC hosts 'Fiesta Dies y Seis' to mark Mexican holiday
By Elle Espronceda


Mariachi Relampago performed at the Main Mall Thursday afternoon for the Fiesta Dies y Seis celebration hosted by the Mexican American Culture Committee. Dies y Seis de Septiembre celebrates Mexican Independence.
Media Credit: Dean Sagun
Mariachi Relampago performed at the Main Mall Thursday afternoon for the Fiesta Dies y Seis celebration hosted by the Mexican American Culture Committee. Dies y Seis de Septiembre celebrates Mexican Independence.


The University celebrated Mexico's Independence Day with the 26th annual "Fiesta Dies y Seis" on the Main Mall Thursday evening.

The Student Events Center and the Mexican American Culture Committee hosted the celebration.

Frozen paletas, or fruit popsicles, and mariachi music in the air, the crowd attended the festivities beginning with sing-along favorites such as "Malaguena Salerosa," the traditional ringing of the bells and an authentic Mexican dinner.

The Mexican American Culture Committee, started in 1973, is the oldest Hispanic group on campus.

According to committee chair, Missy Chavez Quintela, the event brings in a higher number of guests each year. "We're very proud to host an event of this capacity that shows the University's acceptance and enthusiasm for different cultural events. It's exciting to host an event with the ability to grow in size and turnout each year."

One of the bands that played at the event, Maneja Beto, described their music as "polycultural" and "borderless" with political undertones. Mariachi Estrella, another band that played earlier in the evening, provided more traditional sounds of Mexico for party revelers. For many students, the event offered an experience Abraham Zamora, a history sophomore, described as "a chance to get to know about my culture, about my past."

Dies y Seis marks the celebrated anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day. Mexico's revolutionary figure came in the unlikely form of a Catholic priest, Father Miguel Hildago y Costilla. Frustrated with more than 300 years of native oppression by the Spanish rule and caste system, Father Hildalgo rang the local church bell, calling the natives of the village to mass.

Instead of a sermon, Hidalgo preached to the mestizos to revolt against the Gachupines, or native Spaniards, that were the source of their exploitation and oppression. With limited options and military force, Hidalgo's inclusion of Mexico's lowest class in the revolution transformed the movement from a political maneuver into a bitter class struggle. Armed only with rudimentary weapons, the Mexican army fought and eventually won the 10-year wear against the Spanish.

MACC is also co-sponsoring a lecture with Robert Rodriguez Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Texas Union Ballroom.